The incumbent works with landowners to apply and maintain a number of conservation practices and review of financial assistance requests under the provisions of federal, state, and possibly local agriculture programs.

Duties

Assists in conducting field investigations, surveys, and assembly of data needed in the development of conservation practices for structural solutions to problems with water quality, erosion, drainage, and irrigation. Works with landowners on the application and maintenance of conservation practices common to the work unit area, independently explaining cost-share payment procedures to the landowner/producer. Reviews completed conservation plans with the landowner, arranging on-site assistance in application, and scheduling follow up with landowners or operators to check progress of conservation practices that are under construction. Provides technical support to the conservation planners in resource planning by utilizing applicable survey tools and planning software, prepares cartographic orders, and assists staff with data collection as requested. Assists the District Conservationist in developing large area resource conservation plans; compiles resource information, prepares maps, and interprets soil survey data for use in conservation planning. Assists with public information activities providing guidance and policy for the application of practices. As appropriate, conducts practice demonstrations and discusses conservation practices on tours and presentations.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected, you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. (e.g. one year at the GS-6 grade level for consideration for the GS-7 grade level). Specialized Experience for GS-7: To qualify for the GS-7 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Designing, installing and maintaining a variety of non-routine conservation measures on public and privately owned land including farms, parks, shoreline, dams and reservoir areas, forests, and/or wildlife habitats; Advising property holders on the effectiveness of applying soil and water conservation practices; Conducting basic research in support of conservation planning efforts; performing surveying work, reducing notes and drafting specifications for various stabilization or diversion practices; Providing advice on merging conservation practices using established objectives. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-7 level: one year(s) (i.e., 18 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in agriculture, forestry, range management, or another subject-matter field directly related to the position; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Specialized Experience for GS-8: To qualify for the GS-8 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Designing, installing, and maintaining conservation measures on public or privately-owned land including parks, shoreline, refuse waste sites, dams and reservoir areas, water and sewer sites, road embankments, forests, and wildlife habitats; Installing and maintaining soil and water conservation measures on farms, ranches or agricultural lands; Assisting in conducting field investigations, surveys, and assembly of data; Assisting landowners on the application and maintenance of conservation practices; Providing planning information to local government, district personnel, rural and community residents, universities and other entities. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-8 level: two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in agriculture, forestry, range management, or another subject-matter field directly related to the position; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Soil Conservation Technician Series 0458 (opm.gov) Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e., substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g., special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Shawna Carter
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]